What should a college athlete look for in an NIL attorney?
Short answer: Actual NIL contract experience, independence (paid by you — not a percentage of the deal), and compliance fluency with your school's policy, your state's NIL statute, and the House settlement's revenue-share rules.
Three things. First, actual contract experience with NIL and endorsement deals — ask how many they've reviewed and what terms they most often fix (usage rights, exclusivity, and morals clauses are the big three). Second, independence — your attorney should be paid by you and owe duties only to you, not take a percentage of the deal like an agent; fixed fees avoid that conflict entirely. Third, compliance fluency — they should know your school's NIL policy, your state's NIL statute, and the House settlement's revenue-share rules well enough to keep your eligibility safe.
Jacobs Counsel reviews NIL deals on fixed fees and its founder directs the sports law program at Seton Hall Law.
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Updated July 2, 2026. General information only — not legal advice for your specific situation. For advice on your facts, book an intro call.